Tottenham have already approached Bolton over fresh talks in January over the potential transfer of
Gary Cahill after both parties struggled to agree terms for the England international on transfer deadline day.

Spurs are keen to negotiate themselves into pole position for Gary Cahill (Action Images)

Metro Sport understands Cahill’s representatives are open to the idea of sitting down to thrash out the 25-year-old’s future when the transfer window reopens.

And Spurs are keen to steal a march on their north London rivals Arsenal, who are also admirers of the defender, by setting up a summit meeting as soon as possible with a view to a possible move in January.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made Cahill his top target last week after being promised the funds from the £18million sale of Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios to Stoke City, following a frustrating summer without any significant spending.

However, as Metro Sport revealed on Wednesday morning , the two clubs were too far apart in their estimations of Cahill, with Tottenham trying to use out-of-favour defenders Sebastien Bassong and Alan Hutton as makeweights – only for Wanderers manager Owen Coyle to reject both.

Redknapp was then hoping the player himself would help push through a deal by telling Coyle he wanted to leave, but the 25-year-old refused to do so, as he holds out for a preferred transfer to Arsenal or Liverpool.

Bolton know they risk losing Cahill on a free transfer in the summer, after turning down Arsenal’s £11m bid last week, so are prepared to meet Spurs again in January to try and finally agree terms.

In the meantime, chairman Phil Gartside is expected to offer the former Aston Villa defender a significant pay rise on a new long-term contract, as Bolton maintain their hopes of seeing off all interested parties to keep him.